Fluid flow control valve



July 2, 1963 R. L. RosE FLUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE Filed May 8, 1957 IN1/amok @wrm My invention relates to a fluid iioW control valve for providing a continuous low volume flow of flu-id at relatively low pressures, `and such valve is Iparticularly adapted for use in connection with apparatus for providing a mistrtype coolant -for machine tools and :the like, as distinguished from la liquid ow coolant.

AIt has always been thought necessary to employ large Volumes of liquid liow in spray or mist-type coolant systems to obtain maximum performance. However, this large low is `one of the inherent weaknesses of conventional spray-type apparatus as the spray provided includes so much liquid that rthe Iaction of the tool on :the work cannot be observed. Moreover, the economics of large volume flow requires some sort `of reclaiming and recirculating system which adds materially to the complexity and cost of .this apparatus.

Contrary to the accepted view, I have found that spray or mist-type coolant apparatus should employ relatively low volume liquid flows, and that low volume liquid iiows will not only increase the efficiency of the cooling operation but will also provide a surprising increase in tool life and production output, -besides permitting a machine tool operator to readily observe the tool and work.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a iluid ilow control valve for use in a mist-type coolant system for cooling machine tools and the like wherein exceedingly low pressure low volume iluid ilows may be employed to provide Ia mist-like spray that not only exceeds cooling and lubrication requirements, but which also does not obstruct ones view of the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid flow control valve that will limit liquid llow to that on the order of a drop every iifteen seconds and yet provide a continuous tlow to the point where the liquid is to be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of low volume, low pressure fluid ow regulating valve adapted lor use in connection with both liquids and ases.

a lOther objects, uses and advantages will be obvious or become Iapparent from a consideration of the following description `and the drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE l is a cross-sectional view, partially in elevation, through a mist-type coolant system iiuid iiow regulating component arranged in accordance with the principles of my invention, shown connected to a nozzle component forming a part of the mist coolant system and illustrating my novel liow control valve;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of `FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic perspective -view of a portion of the liquid flow regulating valve `forming a part of the metering Acomponent shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5--5 of FIGURE 1, partially in plan;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIGURE l, partially in plan;

FIGURE 7 is a -fragmental diagrammatic crosssectional view illustrating la modied form of liquid ow regulating valve that may be employed in the ow regulating component shown in FIGURE l1; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmental cross-sectional view along line `8 8 of FIGURE 7.

The flow regulating component 18 as illustrated in FIGURES l through 8 forms a part `of a mist coolant system for machine Vtools of the general type shown in my abandoned application Serial No. 543,484, tiled October 28, 1955. In the illustrated embodiment, the flow regulating component comp-rises a body or block formed with a recess 132 that is adapted to receive the end of a dual passage tubing component forming a part of the coolant apparatus. The recess 132. on one side thereof leads to a gas passageway 134 that in leads to a gas liow regulating chamber 136 which has communication with a gas outlet chamber .138. A stem 148 is screw threadedly mounted in an internally screw threaded nut 150 that is screw threadedly received in the end of chamber 136. The stem 148 is formed with a tapered surface 152 that cooperates with edges 154- ot valve chamber 136 Ato stop lall gas flow through the ilow regulating component. The stem 148 includes a ange 156 adjacent to which lan O-ring seal 158 -is positioned. An appropriate helical spring "160 extending between the O-ring 158 and the nut 151i biases .the 'O-.ring against llange 156. O-ring seal 158 seals olf the outer portion of 'the chamber 136.

A liquid passageway 164 extends 4from the other side of ,the recess 132 'and in this particular arrangement an insert :component 88 is mounted in this pass-age for cooperation with one of the passages of the `above mentioned tubing component. Passageway 164 and insert 88 lead to a liquid ilow regulating chamber 166 in which a stern 168 is received that is generally to stem 148 except as hereinafter described. lhus the stem 148 includes fthe flange 156, an O-ring seal 158, nut 158 and yspring 168 that serve the same purposes as those described in connection with stem 148.

As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 5, a resilient cylindrical insert 176 in the form of a plastic sleeve is iixedly mounted in the chamber 166, and the end 172 of stem 168 is received within sleeve 178. Preferably, the end 172 of stem 168 and the internal 'diameter of sleeve 170 are proportioned so that end 172 is rictionally received within the sleeve 170, and thus the sleeve 17@ will resiliently enga-ge the cylindrical surface of end 172. The sleeve 176 should grip end 172 tightly enough to preclude all fluid ilow between these two elements except as described below.

As diagrarnmatically illustrated in FIGURE 4, end 172 is :formed with a tapering slot or groove 174 which has its greatest cross-sectional area at the stem end or termination 176 and converges to a point at the rounded surface of the stem, as at 178.

As indicated in the arrangement of FIGURE l, when the point 178 is positioned above the upper end of sleeve 170, liquid ilow proceeds from the chamber 166. Stem 168 is adjusted lengthwise by turning same in its nut 150.

Chamber 166 communicates fwit-h a liquid outlet tube 18) that is mounted in body 138 and that includes a reduced portion 182 that extends outwardly of the body through the tgas outlet chamber 138.

The nozzle component 20 that is shown applied to regulating component 18 in the illustrated embodiment is associated with the Vgas outlet chamber 138 in the manner that is `diagrammatically shown in FIGURES 1 and 5. The specific nozzle component illustrated comprises an inner tubular member received within an outer tubular member 192. The inner tubular member 190 is formed with longitudinally extending ribs `194 and includes a central longitudinally extending passage 196 that forms the liquid passageway for this component of the invention. The spaces between ribs I194 and the inner surfaces of mem=ber 192 form a plurality of passageways 198 that as a Whole provide the gas passageway for the component 20. The member 1951i is preferably formed from oil resisting Yplastic or rubberlike material and may conveniently be extruded Vto the shape desired. The member 192 in the illustrated nozzle component embodiment may be formed from a flexible metallic or plastic substance of appropriate characteristics. Preferably, both the members I19t? and 192 are flexible.

A nozzle tip 2410 is mounted on the downstream end of the members 190 and 192. Nozzle tip 2% includes a cylindrical portion 202 counterbored as at 204 to receive the downstream end of member 192. Member 190 extends -outwardly of member 192 to the point that its downstream end abuts the conical portion 296 of the nozzle tip 204i. Nozzle tip 200 at its end is formed with an :orifice 2% through which the liquid and gas pass in emitting from the nozzle component. A short tubular insert 210 received in the end of member 196 extends the liquid passageway of the nozzle component to a point just short'of the end of the nozzle tip.

At the upstream `end lof the nozzle component, the inner member 19@ extends outwardly of the outer memiber 192 and is received over the reduced portion of member 130. The member 192 carries a screw threaded coupling nut 212 which is screw threadedly received in appropriate :recess 214 formed in the metering component body 130, and .bears against ange 215 carried by member 192.

When the mist coolant apparatus of which components 18 and 20 form a part is operated, gas and .air from a suitable source of supply pass through the respective separate gas'and liquid passageways of these components to the end of the nozzle tip and there are mixed to form a mistlike spray which is directed to the point where cooling and/or lubrication is desired, that is, the point of application.

The different components described may be secured in appropriately spaced positions with respect to the Work, the flow regulating component 18 being mounted sufficiently near the point of -application so that the nozzle component may be flexed and positioned as required to accomplish theV cooling and/ or lubricating function desired. The component 18 may be appropriately formed for attachment to iixed brackets or other supports as desired.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of liquid flow regulating valve which includes substantially the same elements as those illustrated in FiGURES 1 and 4, but wherein the modified stem 168a is formed with a tapering ridge 220 that is pressed into the internal surface of the sleeve 170 to form two channels 222 proportioned somewhat as shown in FIGURE 8. The ridge 220 tapers from a point 224 that is aligned With the cylindrical surface of stem 168a to its full size at a point 226. The channels 222 are opened and closed by moving the stem 168a longitudinally so as to move the ridge 226* into and out of engagement with the sleeve 171i.

The specic flow regulating component 18 that is illustrated is utilized in armist coolant system by connecting gas passageway 134 to a suitable source of gas, such as air under pressure, connecting insert 88 `to a'source of liquid under pressure, which liquid in this instance should be appropriate for mist coolant purposes, such as a suitable water solvent compound, and opening up the liquid ow control valve of component 18 until a steady ow of liquid passes from the nozzle component orice.

After a steady ow is obtained from the nozzle fcomponent, the desired mist may be obtained by adjusting the ow regulating component that -control the respective nozzle component. The liquid regulating valve illustrated in FIGURES l, 4, and is of particular signilicance in that it permits liquid ow to be regulated from rates as low as one drop every fifteen seconds to a rate as high as one pint per hour and yet provides an uninterrupted ow. The actual gas pressure needed in mist coolant systems to force out the liquid depends upon the mist desired, but in general, in the low volume flow ranges, pressure should be as low as possible. I have found that the illustrated component 1S will function with as little `as one pound per square inch of air pressure in the system in which it is incorporated.

Alit may be added that the term mist as applied to the jet or spray that is provided by the nozzle component, for the purposes of this description, is intended to mean 1a jet of the type in which the liquid droplets are highly dispersed, but are not suspended in the air, yas they would be in -a fog, but move perceptibly downward.

I .have found that the liquid flow regulating valves of FIGURES l5 and 117-21 are not coniined in use to low pressure flow regulation, and, moreover, may be employed to regulate the tlow of gases. Thus, these Valves are iiuid flow control valves in and of themselves.

This application is .a continuation-in-part of my said abandoned application Serial No. 543,484, tiled October 28, 1955.

The foregoing description and the drawing are given merely to explain and illustrate my invention and the Amanner in which it may be performed, and the invention is not to be limited thereto except in so far as the appended claims are so limited, since those-skilled in the art who have my disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without -departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A uid ow control valve for providing a continuous low volume flow of tluid at relatively low pressures comprising a fluid conduit .forming a passage for the fluid, a resilient sleeve encompassing the passage within the conduit yand. having an elongated cylindrical bore, a longitudinally movable cylindrical stem havingran elongated end portion received in said sleeve and resiliently engaged thereby, said sleeve and stem portions being complementally proportioned toV seal oit uid -flow through the passage solely by resilient gripping engagement of said stem portion by said sleeve bore throughout engaged cylindrical lareas of substantial length, said sleeve and stern having portions `of their engaged surfaces formed to deline a longitudinally extending feed channel of limited 'length and longitudinally varying cross section, and means for moving the sternV longitudinally of the sleeve to close the channel ,and thereby seal off uid flow through said passage or to open a portion of the channel and thereby estabish communication between the upstream and downstream sides :of said sleeve.

2. The valve set forth in claim l wherein said stem is formed with la Ilongitudinally tapering ridge forming y said channel when the same is pressed into said sleeve.

. stem.

4. A liquid ow control valve for providing a continuous low volume liquid flow comprising a uid conduit forming a passage for thel liquid, a resilient tubular member encompassing the passage within the conduit and having an `elongated cylindrical bore portion, a longitudinally movable stem having an elongated cylindricalend portion received -in the bore portion of said tubular member, said tubular member portion being proportioned to resiliently grip said stem end portion when said stern end portion is received in said member, said stem end portion being formed with a groove that extends generally longitudinally of said stem for a limited length, and means for moving said stem longitudinally of the central axis of said tubular member to dispose said stem end portion vsu'thin said tubular member to cover the entire groove communication between the upstream and downstream sides of said tubular member.

5. The valve set forth in claim 4 wherein said groove converges to a termination at one end of said groove at the surface of said stem end portion that is engaged by 5 said tubular member.

Reiserenees Citez in the ie of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 201,196 Philips Mar. 12, 1878 10 6 Echola June 13, Dilhnan Mar. 23, Bryant Iu1y 26, Ralston Sept. 6, Garrott Jan. 17, Garraway July 10, Veres Sept. 2, Faust Ian. 13, Loebel Aug. 18, 

1. A FLUID FLOW CONTROL VALVE FOR PROVIDING A CONTINUOUS LOW VOLUME FLOW FO FLUID AT RELATIVELY LOW PRESSURE COMPRISING A FLUID CONDUIT FORMING A PASSAGE FOR THE FLUID, A RESILIENT SLEEVE ENCOMPASSING THE PASSAGE WITHIN THE CONDUIT AND HAVING AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL BORE, A LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE CYLINDRICAL STEM HAVING AN ELONGATED END PORTION RECEIVED IN SAID SLEEVE AND RESILIENTLY GENGAGED THEREBY, SAID SLEEVE AND STEM PORTIONS BEING COMPLEMENTALLY PROPORTIONED TO SEAL OFF FLUID FLOW THROUGH THE PASSAGE SOLELY BY RESILIENT GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT OF SAID STEM PORTION BY SAID SLEEVE BORE THROUGHOUT ENGAGED CYLINDRICAL AREAS OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH, SAID SLEEVE AND STEM HAVING PORITONS OF THEIR ENGAGED SURFACES FORMED TO DEFINE A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FEED CHANNEL OF LIMITED LENGTH AND LONGITUDIANLLY VARYING CROSS SECTION, AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE STEM LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SLEEVE TO CLOSE THE CHANNEL AND THEREBY SEAL OFF FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID PASSAGE OR TO OPEN A PORTION OF THE CHANNEL AND THEREBY ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM SIDES OF SAID SLEEVE.. 